Riding Disciplines
My first ever discipline that ever trained in was reigning for 2 years. and then made the transition to cutting horses and I have been riding cutters for 18 years and training them for 16 years.
Coach(es)
Mick Connolly (reigning), Roger Elliot (cutting), Kathy Daughn (Cutting), Aaron Wheatley (cutting), Robbie Hodgman
Horses
Prestige Cat, Dream Chaser, Reyn Storm, Destinys Mr Chic, Metallic Moon
Breed(s)
Quarter Horses mainly.
Name the most influential person in your riding career and why:
Aaron Wheatley, his work ethic, professionalism and he is a great horse trainer who taught me a lot when I was starting out with my own business.
Describe your riding history:
I learnt to ride growing up mustering on a property. I went to Longreach Pastoral college where really took up an interest in horses and horse training I gradually took up training cutters when I left college spending time in USA working for well-known trainer Kathy Daughn and upon my return started training professionally in 2001.
Special highlight(s) in your riding career:
Winning the 2013 NCHA Futurity
Making my first futurity final aboard Dream Chaser
Winning my first aged event (Derby) at Goondiwindi futurity
Winning the derby from last out riding Reyn Storm
What are your ambitions?
To Continue to grow learn and evolve with the cutting/horse industry, to continue to be competitive at the highest level and to continue to enjoy what I do. To provide a service where people want to be part of Phil Dawson Cutting Horses.
Have you trained or coached any riders who have had success?
I have enjoyed seeing both past and present riders that have been a part of my program have success in the cutting pen.
Which Pryde's feeds do you use and why do you like them?
We use a number of the Pryde's feed range but our go-to product is the Prydes EasiResponse, we like this particular feed product because it is great for conditioning our horses especially when horses are in full work, some of the other products we use are: EasiOil, EasiPrep Concentrate and EasiSport which we have found a great product for horses that may be prone to tying up.
How will Pryde's Sponsorship make a difference to you?
We have been using Pryde's for nearly 10 years and having access to such High quality feeds is important for the wellbeing of our horses that compete regularly at the highest level in their discipline.